MILKY SPORE JAPANESE BEETLE CONTROL

Produced to USDA standards, MILKY SPORE is the safest material ever developed for control over the larvae (grubs) of Japanese Beetles. St. Gabriel Laboratories' Milky Spore is a naturally occurring host specific bacterium (Bacillus popillae-Dutky). This product is lethal to a familiar destructive summer-time pest. It targets and discriminately works to attack the white grubs of Japanese Beetles.

The adult beetle feeds on fruit, flower, shrubs, garden plants and the foliage of some field crops. At the immature beetle stage, the grub enjoys feeding on the roots of grass and other vegetation to include stems of plants.

Turf inoculation treatments / applications with MILKY SPORE puts in place an on-guard protective blanket on your lawn. Considered the weakest link in the chain and the most vulnerable point to introduce an infection, resident spores in treated turf are swallowed by grubs during their normal pattern of feeding; this starts the demise of healthy grubs. Milky Spore disease then begins to cripple the grub, and within the next 7-21 days will eventually die. As the grub decomposes, it releases billions of new spores.

Milky Spore is not harmful to beneficial insects, birds, bees, pets or man. The product is approved and registered with EPA, Milky Spore will not affect wells, ponds or streams. The ideal way to combat area infestation is through organized community efforts. Large areas treated with Milky Spore can result in long term control.

WHAT IS MILKY SPORE?

Milky
Spore is a naturally occuring bacterium that affects Japanese Beetles at the grub stage of
life. Milky Spore was first developed by the USDA in the 1930s to combat the
Japanese Beetle but Milky Spore controls the June bug and Oriental beetles as well.

HOW DOES MILKY SPORE WORK?

When
grubs are feeding, they injest the bacteria. The bacteria begins to multiply inside the gut of the grub killing it in about 14 days. Once the grubs begins to decompose, billions of new bacteria are released into the soil.

HOW FAST DOES THE SPORE WORK?

Milky
Spore begins working upon application wherever grubs are feeding. Warm climates can achieve complete control in 2-3 years. Colder climates may require 3-5 years.

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?

Once established in your lawn Milky Spore can last 15 to 20 years.

WILL FERTILIZERS AFFECT THE SPORE? HOW ABOUT CHEMICAL PESTICIDES?

Fertilizers and herbicides will not affect the Spore. Chemical grub controls do not harm the bacteria, however, the use of chemical controls willl slow the rate of spread of the bacteria. The use of chemical grub controls along with Milky Spore can be effective, but only spot spray with chemical control.

CAN MILKY SPORE BE USED IN THE GARDEN?

Yes.
Milky Spore is harmless to food crops.

HOW MUCH MILKY SPORE DO I NEED?

Milky
Spore is applied 10 pounds per acre. However, more can be applied for faster
results.

HOW DO I APPLY MILKY SPORE?

Milky Spore is applied using a level teaspoon amount every three feet in rows three feet apart forming a grid-like pattern when. St. Gabriel Laboratories manufacturers a dispenser for easy application.

SHOULD CHILDREN AND PETS BE KEPT OFF THE TREATED LAWN?

No.
Milky Spore is not a poison. It will not affect man, animals or contaminate well water.

CAN I CUT MY GRASS AFTER APPLICATION?

No.
After application water the Milky Spore into the soil for about thirty minutes. After the spots have been watered in, the lawn may be mowed.

WILL FREEZING RUIN THE SPORE? WHAT ABOUT HEAVY RAIN?

No. Once applied, Milky Spore is not affected by environmental conditions.

MILKY SPORE IS APPLIED BY A TUBE DISPENSER:

MILKY SPORE COMMUNITY PROGRAM:

Organizing
A Community Campaign

Against The Japanese Beetle

Successful Milky Spore community programs have been organized and sanctioned by civic associations and homeowner associations by taking an active role in the announcement and implementation of the program at the grass roots level. Volunteers from the community play a major role in the success of the project by acting as community liaison for the program. Information is key to the success of the program. Inserting articles of the program in community newsletters and attaching signup flyers is a quick and inexpensive way to reach everyone in the community. Also, St. Gabriel Laboratories spokesmen can be available to address board members to answer questions about Milky Spore and the program.

FOLLOW THE STEPS BELOW TO SET-UP
YOUR MILKY SPORE PROGRAM:

Step One:
It is a good idea to have the homeowner board issue a letter to the homeowners announcing the Milky Spore program. Having the Board sanction the program lends creditability to the project and insures higher participation.

Step
Two: In the community newsletter insert information on milky spore, how it works, who the community liaison is, the benefits etc. Along with information, include a
signup flyer. This flyer will have the cost of the treatment and a treatment kickoff date.
All information for newsletters is available from St. Gabriel Laboratories.

Step Three: With each consecutive newsletter include a treatment update and another signup flyer. Towards the end of the program set a final signup date for the year.

Step Four:
Billing issues: All billing will be handled through Biocontrol Network. Payments can be made using Visa, Mastercard or American Express or by internet check or personal checks. (see Payment Options)

Step Five:
Follow Up: The program ending in the fall should be followed up in the following spring. An announcement in early spring of the continuation of the program is essential to the success of the program. A successful program of 65% participation can be achieved with proper community effort. It is not uncommon to achieve an 85 to 100 percent goal.